Packers: How the Frank Clark trade impacts the draft

How does the Frank Clark-to-Kansas City trade impact the Green Bay Packers’ draft plans?

Just two days ahead of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs have made a blockbuster trade, and one that could have an impact on the Green Bay Packers‘ draft plans.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Chiefs are closing in on a trade for Seahawks edge rusher Frank Clark for a first-rounder and 2020 second-rounder in return.

So how does this potentially impact the Packers?

It could be in a big way. Initially, the Seahawks were set to pick at No. 21 in the first round, the Chiefs at No. 29. Kansas City could’ve used the 29th pick to select an edge rusher, which would be one pick ahead of Green Bay. The Chiefs are now out of the first-round picture completely. Not only is edge rusher now much less of a need, but they will no longer pick ahead of the Packers on Thursday night.

The Seahawks, however, will need to upgrade their pass rush in the draft. They now have two picks ahead of the Packers to do so, at either No. 21 or No. 30. If Green Bay goes in a different direction at No. 12 and a player like Brian Burns falls in the draft, the Seahawks may use one of their first-rounders to select him.

Seattle was a potential trade candidate as it only had four draft picks in total before this trade. The Packers could’ve had a great opportunity to jump up nine spots and offer mid-round picks in exchange. If Green Bay wanted to move up to take an edge rusher, this would’ve importantly moved them ahead of the Chiefs.

While a trade up is still a possibility, the Seahawks will no longer be as desperate to acquire additional picks as they now own two in the first round. If they still opt to move down, it could be from No. 29 into the second round.

So, how big of an impact could this trade have on the Packers’ draft plans? Potentially a significant one.